Huge muscular men bashing each other senseless with their feet, fists, knees, and elbows--if this is your catnip, The Ultimate Fighter -Season 1 is for you! This reality show, presented by the Ultimate Fighting Championshi... more &raquop, puts 16 slabs of beef (all of them versed in boxing, wrestling, and every martial art imaginable) into a house as they undergo even more rigorous training and periodic elimination bouts in the Octogon. The show swiftly makes it clear that physical skill is only part of the picture; drive and sheer will to dominate matter just as much as muscle power (if not more). Under the guiding hand of UFC stars Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, the aspiring champions train and compete in group challenges, all the while partying and bickering back at the house. The camera gets a good look at the fighters' emotional lives. Though generally stone-faced, over thirteen episodes (including the final bouts, which were originally broadcast live) the competitors prove to be an interesting mix of loudmouths, good guys, and underdogs, some of whom are unexpectedly vulnerable. But the soap opera is just a bonus. This show is about men facing each other in the ring, and it delivers. Almost every episode culminates in an unabridged fights between middleweight or light heavyweight contenders, and some of it is brutal. The extras include undercard bouts featuring many of the show's contestants, as well as a variety of training demonstrations (all presented with coy "don't try this at home" disclaimers). The Ultimate Fighter won't appeal to everyone, but some reluctant or prejudiced viewers may find it surprisingly mesmerizing. --Bret Fetzer&laquo less

Movie Reviews

Martial arts rules!

James Buddy Smith | 09/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i think that mma serves it's purpose, but without traditional martial arts like japanese jujutsu, karate,and taekwondo mma would not exist!i liked this series because it shows how martial arts is used to improve yourself physically and mentally and people who think martial arts is just for bangin each others head in are crazy and don't deserve to take martial arts!plus stephan bonnar rules and his spinning back kicks are awesome!!!!!!!"

New to MMA

slacker00 | Eau Claire, WI USA | 02/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just started watching MMA about a month ago when I found some UFC DVDs in the bargain bin at my local Blockbuster. Long story short, a month later, I own UFC 40-60 and TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) season 1. TUF Season 2 is coming in the mail. MMA is completely new to me, yeah I've been living in a cave. If MMA is new to you, TUF season 1 is a terrific place to start."